More than 100 Hampshire headteachers demand '˜funding fit for purpose' for our schools

MORE than 100 Hampshire headteachers have marched on Parliament to demand a better funding deal for the region's children.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Sep 2018, 14:18 BST
Updated 29th Sep 2018, 15:29 BST
Hampshire headteachers gather in Parliament Square under the country's flag to commence the march to Downing Street. Picture: Neil FatkinHampshire headteachers gather in Parliament Square under the country's flag to commence the march to Downing Street. Picture: Neil Fatkin
Hampshire headteachers gather in Parliament Square under the country's flag to commence the march to Downing Street. Picture: Neil Fatkin

Hampshire children are on average set to receive 70 per cent less funding than their counterparts in other Local Authorities.

Hampshire headteacher and the county's '˜Worthless' campaign coordinator, Tony Markham, was one of six headteachers who delivered a letter to Parliament demanding the government address the '˜funding crisis'.

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'˜Per pupil funding for Hampshire students looks to be one of the worst in the country. Figures released from Hampshire County Council indicate that by 2020 the combined per pupil funding for Hampshire students will be the second lowest in the country,' explained Mr Markham.

Hampshire headteachers gather in Parliament Square under the country's flag to commence the march to Downing Street. Picture: Neil FatkinHampshire headteachers gather in Parliament Square under the country's flag to commence the march to Downing Street. Picture: Neil Fatkin
Hampshire headteachers gather in Parliament Square under the country's flag to commence the march to Downing Street. Picture: Neil Fatkin

Headteacher at Henry Cort Community College, Claudia Cubbage, said: '˜What I don't understand is why my children are worth less than other parts of the country.'

Headteacher at Portchester Community School, Richard Carlyle, stands to lose £140,000 from his budget. 

'˜My budget is no longer sustainable. I have tried talking to my local MP. I have spoken to the politician and former Minister for Education Nick Gibb and they are just not listening. It is therefore necessary for us as a professional body to take to the streets to protect the integrity of education,' stressed Mr Carlyle. 

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Hambledon Primary School headteacher, Peter Daves, believes the government are not fully accepting responsibility.

'˜We are at the point where there is no more left cut. The Department for Education come out with this standard statement that they are '˜putting more into education than ever before' but the cost of everything has also increased and there are more children now in education.'

As six headteachers delivered the letter to Parliament they were cheered by their colleagues. The letter has demanded the government redress the 8 per cent real terms funding cut imposed since 2010, provide an immediate £400 million injection to support Special Educational Needs and to increase the current levels of funding for post 16 education.

Lesley Spicer, headteacher at Peel Common Infant School, said: '˜We have all taken time out of school to come here today. With over 1000 headteachers, surely the government have to listen.'

'˜The government need to listen to headteachers so all our children are funded to provide the education they deserve,' added Mr Daves.  

Related topics:Hampshire